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We are delighted to welcome the Great Tapestry of Scotland to Stirling Castle as part of its national tour. It is officially the largest embroidered tapestry in the world and tells the story of Scotland’s history.

Two conservation students’ studies have been given a boost after their hard work was rewarded by Historic Scotland. Daniel Baillie (20) and Philip Stafford (22) attended a prize giving at the agency’s headquarters last month after excelling in the Higher National Diploma in Architectural Conservation at Glasgow’s Metropolitan College.

Historic Scotland has launched a pilot scheme with three of Scotland’s local authorities in a bid to improve the process of dealing with category-B listed building consent (LBC) applications. The pilot will run from October to December with The City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City and Perth and Kinross Councils. The results of scheme are scheduled to be announced in March 2009 and will determine if the new way of working can be offered to all of Scotland’s thirty-four planning authorities on a permanent basis.

Children can enjoy some arty fun at one of Perthshire’s best castles – and it’s free to get in. Huntingtower Castle is taking part in this year’s Big Draw, the nationwide campaign to encourage drawing and art.

Locals will have the opportunity to preview a newly redisplayed collection of more than 30 Pictish stones at the St Vigeans museum, near Arbroath. The museum is currently undergoing refurbishment, but on 10 October it will open its doors for one day only as a sneak preview before it officially opens next Easter.

Gaelic speakers and visitors from Russia and China can now read all about Edinburgh Castle in their own languages. The new translations of the castle’s official souvenir guide are going on sale in response to changes in the tourism market. China and Russia are among the developing markets where economic expansion means that increasing numbers of people are taking holidays in overseas destinations like Scotland.